Primordial Dawn

Into the Shadowfell

6

DEC/09

The session, as usual, starts with party member disappearing and appearing (depending on who bothered to show up that day). After they defeat the dimensional baddy du-jour (this time, a Dimensional Marauder accompanied by some sentient plant-life), the party continues their journey east, following the first piece of the Rod of Seven Parts.

As the party travels east, every once in a while the entire world seems to become dimmer for a split second. These occurrences become more frequent over time. After a while, the party comes across 5 oddly well preserved humanoid bodies. Three of them are boneless, and two of them appear to be skinned. Upon close examination, none of the bodies show any physical evidence of how their skin or bones have been removed. Within a few seconds, the world dims, this time permanently, and the party finds itself in the Shadowfell, surrounded by three skeletons and two empty shells.

After defeating the undead, Loin feels the rod directing him west, and the party starts traveling in the opposite direction. After a few random undead encounters, the party find itself facing off a Zombie Abomination. During the battle, the party spots a group of humanoids in the distance, coming to intercept the party. After the battle, some of the party stays to greet the incoming humanoids, while a few of the party members hide nearby.

When the incoming group of humanoid finally arrives the party can see they have ashen skin, raven-black eyes, tattoos, piercings, and what seem to be self-inflicted scars. The group claim to be soldiers in the service of the Raven Queen (Unaligned Goddess of Death, Fate and Doom), and ask the party to state their business. Loin, realizing the incoming group is probably not evil, emerges from hiding, holding up the rod. Upon seeing the rod, the group of warriors stand down and escort the party to their base.

The warriors, it turns out, lived on the mortal plane when the Blood Reaver’s prison was originally disturbed. Rather than relocate to Sigil, they pleaded with the Raven Queen for help. The Raven Queen agreed to aid them in exchange for servitude. The warriors then relocated to the Shadowfell and became the Raven Queen’s army. They are now known as Shadar Kai.

The Shadar Kai did come into contact with another part of the Rod of Seven Parts, but none of them was able to hold the Rod for more than a few seconds. Further research led them to understand it was meant for someone untainted by death. They then decided to safeguard the rod in one of their fortresses.

Unfortunately, the armies of the Demon Lord Orcus have grown stronger since the second shock-wave, and used that new-found strength to overtake large parts of the Raven Queen’s territory in the Shadowfell, including the fortress containing the Rod. If the Rod is to be rebuilt, the party would need to venture into Orcus’ territory and retrieve the next piece of the Rod.